"Chess was a spectacular show!!! It was dramatic, funny, and engaging. The musical numbers : vocals, staging and choreography was innovative and engaging. Needless to say, all of the actors were amazing…especially Aaron!!! Must see!!!"
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Carol C from Woburn on Oct 20, 2025
Beautiful moving and brilliant
"The sets, dancing, and vocals were all excellent.
I love the music and the lyrics are brilliant.
The story unfolds with the help of an engaging and humorous narrator.
Very fresh and captivating revival of a truly great musical.
I can’t wait to take the rest of my family.
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 19, 2025
Chess is Back
"Beautiful voices to go along with the wonderful score! Loved the new updated book! The set and the orchestra on stage was a great idea!"
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Thomas M G from Woodside on Oct 17, 2025
Wonderful performances!
"The musical performances were passionate and moving as was the choreography. They helped strengthen the plot as did the narrator’s performance.
Highly recommend the show!"
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Kenneth W from Douglas on Nov 30, 2025
Chess is fabulous!
"It’s perfect -acting, singing, plot, dancing & costumes. I loved the songs, romance, drama and ending. Go see this musical! I loved it!"
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Renee W from Tarrytown on Nov 24, 2025
Powerhouse!
"The cast is absolutely incredible! At times, it’s hard to understand the lyrics. Maybe the mics or the background music is too loud but totally worth seeing this powerhouse cast!"
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 21, 2025
Wow! Just Wow!
"Not only the three leading cast members, but all of the other singers were fantastic. I was impressed by a certain onstage costume change. This was a new story for me so I am very glad I can add it to my theatre repertoire. The beginning was a tad slow but overall, truly enjoyable. I can’t wait for a National Tour to sweep the country! "
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Reece J from Chicago on Oct 31, 2025
Wonderful performances!
"Loved choreography, singing, playlist. Great improvement over Chess performance I initially saw in London many years ago. Didn’t care for stripped clothing in Bangkok number. "
"I am thrilled that I got to see the show on their first preview night! The leads were outstanding! The music, dancing, staging, were all fantastic. The new book used for this production fit seamlessly with the score. Loved it!!"
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Joyce F from Myrtle Beach on Oct 16, 2025
A riveting Cold War musical
"An entertaining musical with some serious musical talent. Seeing Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit was a true treat. I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 20, 2025
Great rework of a show that needed a new book
"I loved Chess. The new book made it easy to follow along - adding the narrater made all the difference. The songs finally have a story to match! the cast was excellent. Each of the leads were fantastic in different ways, Aaron will break your heart with Pity the Child, Lea will impress you with her ability to hold back the Diva style and let nuances guide her, and Nicholas will drawn you in with his intensity and charm. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 20, 2025
Talent abounds
"Three very strong leads that were needed for the difficult and challenging vocals. They didn’t disappoint. The entire cast was impressive as well."
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 15, 2025
Great revival of a compelling musical
"Cast was amazing, story was timely for today even though it was from the 20th century cold war era. I think it might have been a tad too long but that did not take away from the enjoyment of all the performances of the impact of the story. The 3 leads were broadway stars at their finest. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 7, 2025
Fun and exciting
"The singers were phenomenal. Their talent unbelievable. Dancing and use of lighting was very enjoyable. Good story.
An enjoyable time. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 6, 2025
Hot Digitty
"I went into this show knowing the title, Aaron Tveit, and Lea Michelle. I came out of this show having laughed, cried, and nearly falling out of my dang chair. The vocals are insane, the choreography is dazzling, and the unique take on the arbiter’s performance allowed for great comic relief! "
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Marie R from Sandy Hook on Nov 5, 2025
Super acting; thin story
"Outstanding star quality . Outstanding vocals . Favorite.. ANTHEM that ended first act. The narrator was an outstanding new edition to the show that kept it moving through added levity.
The story line is and has always been thin but that’s the breaks and not the fault of the actors .
Spectacular orchestration.
Thank you for an enjoyable evening."
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John P from Mays Landing on Nov 2, 2025
Great musical with a hint of humor.
"Fantastic cast, great dancing; the music was great and the singing amazing. "
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Tom I from Derby on Nov 2, 2025
Fun musical
"Loved the music and choreography. The three stars were incredibly talented. My adult daughter and I loved the show! "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 1, 2025
Amazing soundtrack!
"The music of Chess has lived its own successful life for so long! Great to see it wrapped back into a show with super talented leads.
Only thing I didn’t like were winks to the audience about current events, only a few times, but temporarily broke the magic spell of the show. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 31, 2025
Chess is a Masterpiece!
"I loved everything about the show. Although the "book" was updated, I still found it confusing. The main story was clear. It was the details of the cold war that confused us, due to the lack of background information about that time period. The play was a masterpiece in spite of this."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 30, 2025
A history lesson with music
"A great score and an updated script help to elevate this story of cold war politics. Aaron and Michelle are predictably wonderful, but the standout is really Nicholas Christopher who sings the show stopping number at the end of the first act."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 29, 2025
Checkmate: Chess Returns to Broadway in Triumphant Form
"Chess has long been my favorite elusive musical — one I’ve somehow missed every time it’s been stage. After years of anticipation, Chess has finally made its long-awaited return to Broadway — and it was worth the wait.
This revival captures the emotional intensity and soaring score that have made the musical a cult favorite, while giving the book the thoughtful facelift it desperately needed. The use of the Arbiter as the narrator is brlliant and helps the storyline move almost fluidly.
The principal performers are exceptional. Both Nicholas Christopher (Anatoly) and Bradley Dean (Molokov) deliver powerhouse performances that bring new depth to their complex characters. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tony nominations in both their futures.
Aaron Tveit was the perfect choice for Freddie Trumper. His voice is stellar, and his stage presence commands attention. His “One Night in Bangkok” was electric, but it was his heart-wrenching rendition of “Pity the Child” that was worth the price of admission alone.
This was also my first opportunity to see Lea Michele on stage, and she did not disappoint. Her presence brings new life to this role, blending power and vulnerability in a way that feels effortless. With her return to Broadway, I hope her devoted Glee fans come experience her brilliance.
The stage design, casting, and refreshed book all deserve accolades, this is clearly a thoughtful and ambitious production. Still, there are a few elements I hope evolve after the preview period. The extended dialogue and first bedroom scene feel a bit too long, and Svetlana’s solo number comes across as unnecessary and forced.
While I do miss the cut songs from previous productions, I can listen to those albums anytime. Overall, this Chess revival proves that with the right vision (Danny Strong for the win!) and a bit of modern refinement can a classic can feel both timeless and freshly relevant.
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Karen Elizabeth K from Louisville on Oct 19, 2025
Mixed
"I overall enjoyed the show. I felt the first half was a bit slow, and it was sometimes difficult to follow the song lyrics.
The second half’s energy was much better although it was still hard to follow lyrics of some key songs
The singing was beautiful overall but the show still needs some tightening up
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Stephen M from Westport on Nov 1, 2025
Great music and performances
"The three leads and Bryce Pinkham are terrific. The orchestra was often too loud making lyrics hard to follow especially when the chorus sang. The second act seemed a little long."
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 27, 2025
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About
Chess
Chess is the iconic musical where power and passion collide, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s America versus Russia at the World Chess Championship, where the espionage and romance are as complicated and exhilarating as the game itself. For the two players and the woman torn between them, everything—personal, professional, and political—is at risk… and nobody’s rules are the same.
